As we’ve seen lately with recent takeovers, Sony is investing in game service and multiplayer. While it is known and appreciated above all for its solo adventures, the firm wishes to diversify and offer new experiences to its players. Hermen Hulst, who is at the head of PlayStation Studios, unveiled his strategy dedicated to service games in the columns of
Gamesindustry.biz.
10 service games in development
First, Hermen Hulst recalled that Sony currently has ten service games in development. If this may scare some people, he still wanted to clarify that this did not mean that Sony was going to make 10 clones of Fortnite or Destiny:
We understand the competitive environment that exists and the investment of players’ time that the games service offers. And we want to offer the highest quality games.
PlayStation Studios produces a range of games that could be described as “live services”, targeting different genres, different release schedules and at different scales. We also make games for different audiences, and I’m confident we’ve managed to create worlds and stories that PlayStation fans love.
Remember that in less than two years, PlayStation has acquired Bungie, Haven Studios and recently Firewalk Studios, three entities dedicated to the development of service games.
The studios join a big family
Through its various acquisitions, PlayStation is building a much richer portfolio, while the studios are joining “a global network of studios”. If each of them makes it their priority to carry out their own project and produce the best possible game, they can also rely on the experience of the other teams:
We strive to provide an environment where teams can collaborate on anything they want, whether it’s game design, audio, animation, or something else entirely. The service game poses complex new challenges, so having people and teams who have been through these experiences and who can provide support and advice to others is extremely valuable.
For Tony Hsu, director of the Firewalk studio, it is also and above all a great opportunity to exchange with talented developers, and in particular to find former colleagues at Bungie, since he was general manager of Destiny:
Our team has a close personal and professional relationship with Bungie, and we’re thrilled to be part of the same family of studios.
(…)
One of the benefits of being part of PlayStation Studios is having the opportunity to exchange knowledge with a network of talented developers, including our friends and close neighbors in Bellevue and Seattle. We’re excited to join them and PlayStation Studios teams like Haven Interactive in creating and advancing innovative multiplayer experiences.
Tony Hsu also clarifies that joining PlayStation Studios will not change Firewalk’s raison d’être:
We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to establish our own indie culture and development philosophy, largely thanks to the support of our partners, both at ProbablyMonsters and PlayStation.
(…)
From the very beginning, Hermen and the entire PlayStation leadership group have been tremendous advocates for our team, our culture and our vision. Joining PlayStation Studios will only strengthen our unique approach to making games.
Some games will be exclusive to the PS5, others will also be released on PC
For several years now, PlayStation has been turning more and more towards the PC, releasing many of its games on this platform. Regarding its strategy dedicated to service play, Hermen Hulst clarified that this would be done on a case-by-case basis.
If the new Firewalk IP is for example planned for both PS5 and PC, this will not be the case for all projects:
We’ve made significant progress in delivering PC games over the past few years, and when it makes sense for the game and the studio, this is a great option. But it’s a decision we will make individually for each game.
Below you will find the list of projects PlayStation Studios are working on. Although some are still at the rumor stage, it is clear that Sony is beefing up its game and has something to do very badly if it manages to release service games up to its solo games.
- Bungie: a new license.
- Deviation Games: a new license.
- Firewalk Studios: new AAA IP that will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC.
- Haven Studios: a new AAA license.
- Naughty Dog: Factions, a multiplayer game in the universe of The Last of Us.
- PlayStation London Studio: a fighting game in a fantasy world.
